Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-11-19
i FOREST ADVENTURE.

The duties of a pilot on small steamer
that plies up and down deep muddy
stream between two cities, rbout one
hundred miles apart, are not always of
the pleasantest nature. The mmptuous
pilot houses OF our modern ferry boats
and great sound steamers do not give
the faintest suggestion of the narrow,
two by two plank platform that was
formerly used as standing place for the
pilots Of the river steamers.
The northern limit of our journey was
marked by small village, situated on
the very banks Of the river, and forming
the commercial seaport for about half
dozen similar towns. The width Of the
stream at this point was about seventy
five feet, and it was very shallow. Both
banks for miles down the river were
lined with thick woods, and the branches
grew SO far across the water that in many
places the boughs on the opposite sides
interlaced with each other, and formed q
natural archway, through which we We're
compelled to sail. On dark nights the
gloom was intense, and it required a
strong head light to dispel tho shadows
sufficiently for us to guide our small
craft through tho water. Here and there
great logs, or fallen trees, nearly blocked
up the way, and made the journey doubly
dangerous.
One dark night, in the fall of the year,
we were proceeding up the river, as
usual, when a strange adventure hap
pened to us. The night was one of those
fitfully cloudy ones, which is lighted up
occasionally by the moon emerging from
a bank of clouds and then disappearing
again. We had slow head of steam
on, and the tug was putting along leis-
urely, making perhaps about half rate
of speed, My familiarity with the river
enabled me to guide tho boat along with
comparative ease, while listened to the
chorus of wild animals, which were max
ing the woods resound with their cries,
| Occasionally the green CLEAN of an eye
could be seen watching us from the shore
Now and then aheavy splash in the water
intimated that some ferocious beast had
come down to battle, or had started II
pursuit of our floating home.
The deck hands went asleep as the nigh
advanced, and was left alone with my
thoughts. We were gliding under one O
the leafy arches that extended across tn,
river, when was aroused by series o
| wild screams. / at once knew that til,
cry came from human being and no
from wild animal. Spokihg the wheel
seized the rifle that stood by my sid
and prepared myself fer whatever nigh
turn up.
For few moments there was entir
silence in the woods, the birds and ami
mails having been frightened into quie
| by the strange cry of human voice
Then, without warning, there was nois
in the leaves overhead, and before coul
| place my rifle to my shoulder, the form
Of human being dropped heavily to tn
| deck of the steamer. 1t fell in a SINAI
| heap right near the stern of the boat
where it remained motionless, as if crush
ed to death by the fall.
The tumult had by this time startled tn
deck hands from their sleep. and with on
impulse we started in body toward on
strange visitor.
eur the love of God, fellers, help M
up, an take pity on poor onfortinit
Thet old limb pitched me harder'n cal
kerlated, an it's nigh onto broken me a
up. Eff it hadn't saved my life I'd cur
back here some day, an cut it off, ar
pitch it into the river, jes' for spite. Blu
tibet critter didn't get me, arter all, an
We jes' bet she's in en- bushes now
gnashin' an gnashin' her teeth"
1 remained silent during the outburs
The man was evidently hurt, though nc
SO much but he could enjoy the fact til;
he was safe. knelt down by his sid,
and asked him if he needed assistanc,
but he rose to his feet with difficulty
saying:
"No; amt SO bad off as I thought
was. The fact is, pards, / was kinder stun
ned and frightened more'n anything els
Eff ye'd been a-walkin' roun' an roul
these ere woods for nigh onto two day
gettin'nothin to eat 'cept what ye coul
pick up in the woods, an fightin the wi
critters, ye'd be somewhat knocked up
a heap. These 'ere woods amt no pla,
things, an it don't do to get lost in
'eni." t# &t ~ ~
Lost, Were your we asked.
, eyes. lost, an without much hope
ever findin' my way out ag'in. Ye Sc
the fact is, strangers, was out a-hunti
!. with party Of fellers, an in chasin'
!. wild deer we got separated in the wood
ap' afore knew / was clean off n
bearin's. i wandered roun' an rou
/. fur hosrs, yellin' an yelhn' fur help, b
!. nothin heard me 'cept the wild animal
Confound their carcasses! they gave u
Is chase. but / shot 'em as fast as TIN
came to me, until didn't hev any mo
= powder. Then threw my rifle ava
M an jes' kept this spealxin tube"-ta
ping large navy revolver. as he spoke
% 'sin case was pressed too closely. Wa
!. did hev to use it onct or twice, an
q came in jes' at the right time. When
: stlock this river, thought I'd follow
~ banks down till came TO some yillaf
IN then I'd be all right. But / soon disco
'e- cred thct the wild beasts were thicker
Of flies roun' its border, an was j
-. maxim preparations to strike out in |
=, = forest ag'in when heerd the whistle
ar yonr boat. / waded as near the water